One out of 13 Australians over 40 are affected by this lung disease, but half are unaware of it.

Linda Goldsmith, a woman living in Sydney, noticed about 15 years ago that she was having trouble breathing. At first, she attributed it to the stress of moving houses. "I was getting breathless, and I don't usually get colds, but when I did, they were much more severe than usual," she recalled. "I had recently relocated from the Central Coast back to Sydney, so I assumed it was just the air quality in the new area."

Fearing that she might have asthma, Goldsmith visited her doctor for a check-up. "Turns out, I was diagnosed with asthma," she shared. "I was prescribed Ventolin and during winter, my doctor gave me a preventer to use as well." However, it wasn't until five years later when she ended up at Westmead Hospital with a severe lung infection that Goldsmith discovered the true cause of her breathlessness.

The doctors at Westmead Hospital diagnosed her with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a lung condition that cannot be cured and affects the airflow into the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. Shockingly, more than 7600 Australians die every year due to COPD, and 53,000 individuals over the age of 45 are hospitalized for the same condition.

COPD is surprisingly widespread, with one in 13 Australians over the age of 40 being affected by it. However, only half of them are aware of their condition. With this in mind, the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has recently released the first clinical care standard for COPD. This move aims to increase the diagnosis rates and provide better care for patients with COPD.

The guidelines have been endorsed by 20 peak bodies, including the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand, as well as Lung Foundation Australia. According to Dr. Lee Fong, a GP and medical advisor for the commission, one of the reasons why COPD often goes undiagnosed for so long is because it progresses slowly. "COPD is a condition that sneaks up on you," he explained. In some cases, patients may not even mention worsening coughs or shortness of breath to their GP.

Moreover, COPD shares many symptoms with other conditions, such as asthma, making it confusing for patients and doctors alike. These symptoms include shortness of breath, chronic cough, mucus, and wheezing. "This highlights the importance of an accurate diagnosis because without it, the best treatment cannot be given," Dr. Fong emphasized.

He also advised anyone over the age of 35 who frequently experiences shortness of breath, wheezing, or has a persistent "wet" cough, and has been exposed to smoking, occupational dust, or fumes, to talk to their doctor and get tested for COPD. The only definitive way to diagnose COPD is through a breathing test known as spirometry.

The new guidelines outline the proper treatment for COPD, which may include a patient action plan, inhaler medications, and pulmonary rehabilitation. After being diagnosed with COPD, Goldsmith received tremendous support from clinicians and specialists at Westmead Hospital. She has completed pulmonary rehabilitation programs and regularly attends a breathlessness clinic to manage her symptoms and minimize flare-ups.

"When you have COPD, it's crucial to be aware of your triggers. It's not just catching a cold that can worsen your symptoms; it can also be changes in the weather or even for no apparent reason," Goldsmith shared. "It's essential to have an action plan and be prepared." Do you have a similar story? Get in touch with reporter Emily McPherson at [email protected].

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